RIVER ISLE VILLAGE

At the heart of this blend of nature and commerce lies River Isle Village. A comfortable walk from all parking areas, fields of earthly yield weave effortlessly around eclectic and mainstream shops and stores. Blending merchantry with the islands rich agricultural past, a cornucopia of goods and services is offered to delight both the palate and the soul. Morning coffee at an orchard bistro or neighborhood patisserie, or lunch at a shaded sidewalk café allows a refreshing respite while nature provides a symphony of color and scent in every direction.

Throughout and around the commercial district, fields large and small spring forth with stands of citrus and avocado trees - patches of strawberries, raspberries, and their cousins add their flavor to the palate. Gardens of wildflowers and shade trees complete this colorful quilt. Walking paths lead to and from, and circle the village. Gently weaving their way into the fields, one can enjoy the sensory pleasures that nature provides.

Unique to River Isle are the canals – another way to connect field with town, and past with present, these waterways surround and weave their way through the Walking Gardens. Here, resident and visitor alike may take a contemplative stroll or a romantic paddle in a plank canoe through the natural landscape. Alive with flowers and trees, benches and tables, the garden provides the perfect locale for an outdoor bite, or lunch hour picnic. Take sixty - and leave it all behind without leaving at all.

The Fresh Market brings agriculture and commerce together. An open air piazza creates the perfect venue to combine these elements. Barrows, stalls, and specialty shops offer all that’s fresh and unique. Daily baked bread, fresh made pastas and cheese, herbs, spices, and the best in seafood, poultry, and meat, as well as that special vintage can all be found in this festive square. Situated throughout, interactive kiosks provide everything from the latest in technology and methodology, as well as the opportunity to invent the latest hybrid product, fruit or flower. Create a new wine or your own appellation. The only limitation is your imagination.

After sunset, the village comes alive with music, dining, and dancing. A quick healthy nosh or an evening spent in quiet conversation in one of many contemporary, eclectic, or culturally motif restaurants await. Sample the night life, dance though the evening at a variety of unique venues, or relax and listen to your favorite music in a microbrewery, where your lager of choice is brewed in house from ingredients grown on the premises. Take a turn down any side street and intimate theatres allow patrons of the arts, both serious and casual, the latest in dramatics, musicals, comedies, and concerts. The village is as vibrant at night as the fields are during the day.

If a more romantic setting is your desire, return to the Fresh Market and purchase your evening’s repast fresh from the barrow, or have it catered from one of the many specialty shops. Dine at a secluded table for two. The sound of the piazza’s fountain and soft music from strolling minstrels provide the perfect backdrop to wine and dine that special someone in your life.

When night is done return to the Village Hotel. Offering the latest in amenities for both the businessman and pleasure traveler, and a short stroll from the village, it provides the perfect view of the streets and canals. What better way to top off the evening, than on your private balcony as a soft breeze carries the sensual scent of wildflowers through the air.